Rest on the Word of God
Faith rests on the naked Word of God, and through trials and acquainting ourselves with God, we can increase our faith and leave ourselves in His hands.
Charles E. Cowman preaches on the importance of trusting in God's Word, emphasizing that faith is not based on feelings or outward appearances but solely on the promises of God. He encourages believers to see trials as opportunities for God to work in their lives, leading to a deeper understanding of God's character and a greater reliance on His goodness. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and getting to know God intimately, we can learn to appreciate His love and faithfulness, enabling us to surrender to His will and trust in His plans even in the midst of difficulties.
Text
"I trust in thy word" (Ps. 119:42).
Just in proportion in which we believe that God will do just what He has said, is our faith strong or weak. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, or with impressions, with improbabilities, or with outward appearances. If we desire to couple them with faith, then we are no longer resting on the Word of God because faith needs nothing of the kind. Faith rests on the naked Word of God. When we take Him at His Word, the heart is at peace.
God delights to exercise faith, first for blessing in our own souls, then for blessing in the Church at large, and also for those without. But this exercise we shrink from instead of welcoming. When trials come, we should say: "My Heavenly Father puts this cup of trial into my hands, that I may have something sweet afterwards."
Trials are the food of faith. Oh, let us leave ourselves in the hands of our Heavenly Father! It is the joy of His heart to do good to all His children.
But trials and difficulties are not the only means by which faith is exercised and thereby increased. There is the reading of the Scriptures, that we may by them acquaint ourselves with God as He has revealed Himself in His Word.
Are you able to say, from the acquaintance you have made with God, that He is a lovely Being? If not, let me affectionately entreat you to ask God to bring you to this, that you may admire His gentleness and kindness, that you may be able to say how good He is, and what a delight it is to the heart of God to do good to His children.
Now the nearer we come to this in our inmost souls, the more ready we are to leave ourselves in His hands, satisfied with all His dealings with us. And when trial comes, we shall say:
"I will wait and see what good God will do to me by it, assured He will do it." Thus we shall bear an honorable testimony before the world, and thus we shall strengthen the hands of others. --George Mueller.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Faith in the Word of God
- A. Faith is not based on feelings or impressions
- B. Faith rests on the naked Word of God
- C. Faith is exercised through trials and difficulties
- II. The Role of Trials in Exercising Faith
- A. Trials are the food of faith
- B. Trials help us leave ourselves in God's hands
- III. The Importance of Acquainting Ourselves with God
- A. Reading the Scriptures helps us know God
- B. Knowing God's gentleness and kindness increases faith
- IV. The Result of Increased Faith
- A. We become more ready to leave ourselves in God's hands
- B. We bear an honorable testimony before the world
Key Quotes
“Trials are the food of faith.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Faith has nothing to do with feelings, or with impressions, with improbabilities, or with outward appearances.” — Charles E. Cowman
“I will wait and see what good God will do to me by it, assured He will do it.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We should leave ourselves in God's hands, trusting that He will do good to us through trials.
- Reading the Scriptures helps us know God and increase our faith.
- Knowing God's gentleness and kindness increases our faith and makes us more ready to leave ourselves in His hands.